Traffic statistics September

British Airways PLC
05 October 2004


TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS - September 2004


Summary of the headline figures


In September 2004, passenger capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres,
was 0.6 per cent above September 2003 and traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger
Kilometres, was higher by 3.6 per cent.  This resulted in a passenger load
factor up 2.2 points versus last year, to 77.9 per cent.  The increase in
traffic comprised a 0.2 per cent decrease in premium traffic and a 4.2 per cent
increase in non-premium traffic.  Cargo, measured in Cargo Tonne Kilometres,
rose by 13.6 per cent. Overall load factor rose by 3.8 points to 72.4 per cent.


For the July to September quarter, ASKs rose by 2.1 per cent, with RPKs rising
by 4.7 per cent. This resulted in an increase in passenger load factor of 2.0
points, to 78.4 per cent. This comprised a 4.6 per cent increase in premium
traffic and a 4.7 per cent increase in non-premium traffic. CTKs rose by 19.3
per cent.


Market conditions


Market conditions remain unchanged. Longhaul premium volumes are recovering,
while shorthaul premium travel remains at lower levels. Non-premium volumes are
very price-sensitive. Revenue is still expected to be some 2-3 per cent higher
in this financial year.


Costs


As a result of Yen depreciation against sterling, there will be a non-cash
accounting credit of £5 million in the second quarter financial results.


Strategic Developments


British Airways completed the sale of its 18.25 per cent shareholding in Qantas.
The gross sale proceeds were A$1.1 billion (approximately £430 million) which
the airline received on 14 September.  The airline expects to use the proceeds
to repay part of its existing gross debt which at June 30, 2004 amounted to £5.6
billion.



British Airways announced a series of measures to improve operational
performance.



The winter schedule was announced and includes new services to Switzerland,
Greece, Croatia and Lithuania.



British Airways' has introduced a bistro style restaurant at New York's JFK
airport for business passengers to sample dishes created by UK based Michelin
starred chefs including Richard Corrigan of The Lindsay House in London, Vineet
Bhatia from Rasoi in London and Shaun Hill from The Merchant House in Ludlow.



British Airway celebrated 65 years of operations to Birmingham, 45 years to
Moscow and 20 years to Cape Town.



The airline swept the board at the Business Traveller magazine awards ceremony,
picking up seven awards including best airline, best first class, best business
class, best economy class, best longhaul airline, best shorthaul airline and
best frequent flyer programme. The oneworld alliance won the best airline
alliance.


Marketing magazine voted BA one of the UK's best loved brands.


British Airways announced it is to change the timetable of some of its monthly
traffic statistics updates to co-incide with its quarterly financial results.

                                      ends


October 5, 2004
                                                   098/KG/04


BRITISH AIRWAYS MONTHLY TRAFFIC AND CAPACITY STATISTICS


                                             Month of September                   Financial year to date
                                                                                 April through September
BRITISH AIRWAYS GROUP                                    Change                                    Change
SCHEDULED SERVICES                    2004       2003       (%)             2004        2003          (%)
Passengers carried (000)
UK/Europe                             2122       2123      -0.0            12834       12849         -0.1
Americas                               599        588      +1.8             3849        3703         +4.0
Asia Pacific                           146        137      +6.5              823         671        +22.8
Africa and Middle East                 257        236      +8.7             1494        1329        +12.5
Total                                 3123       3085      +1.3            19001       18550         +2.4

Revenue passenger km (m)
UK/Europe                             1925       1850      +4.1            11614       11119         +4.5
Americas                              4005       3941      +1.6            25715       24750         +3.9
Asia Pacific                          1502       1450      +3.6             8466        7172        +18.0
Africa and Middle East                1702       1578      +7.9             9900        8880        +11.5
Total                                 9134       8818      +3.6            55695       51921         +7.3

Available seat km (m)
UK/Europe                             2610       2554      +2.2            15914       15553         +2.3
Americas                              5072       5278      -3.9            31888       31834         +0.2
Asia Pacific                          1923       1776      +8.2            11618       10303        +12.8
Africa and Middle East                2121       2047      +3.6            13192       12113         +8.9
Total                                11726      11655      +0.6            72612       69804         +4.0

Passenger load factor (%)
UK/Europe                             73.8       72.5      +1.3 pts         73.0        71.5         +1.5 pts
Americas                              79.0       74.7      +4.3 pts         80.6        77.7         +2.9 pts
Asia Pacific                          78.1       81.6      -3.5 pts         72.9        69.6         +3.3 pts
Africa and Middle East                80.2       77.1      +3.1 pts         75.0        73.3         +1.7 pts
Total                                 77.9       75.7      +2.2 pts         76.7        74.4         +2.3 pts

Revenue tonne km (RTK) (m)
Cargo tonne km (CTK)                   412        363     +13.6             2416        2087        +15.8
Total RTK                             1325       1246      +6.3             7973        7284         +9.5
Available tonne km (m)                1831       1817      +0.8            11339       10730         +5.7

Overall load factor (%)               72.4       68.6      +3.8 pts         70.3        67.9         +2.4 pts


Certain statements included in this statement may be forward-looking and may
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.


Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating to
results of operations and financial conditions and the company's plans and
objectives for future operations, including, without limitation, discussions of
the company's business and financing plans, expected future revenues and
expenditures and divestments. All forward-looking statements in this report are
based upon information known to the company on the date of this report. The
company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.


It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specific
events that could cause the company's forward-looking statements to be incorrect
or that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operations
or results of an airline operating in the global economy.



                                                              Investor Relations
                                                                Waterside (HCB3)
                                                                      PO Box 365
                                                                   Harmondsworth
                                                                         UB7 OGB
                                                       Tel: [phone]
                                                       Fax: [phone]


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange